The Greek tennis star Contemplated Retirement During Pain-Filled 2025 Season
The athlete entered the previous US Open as the 26th seed.
Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about quitting the sport because of severe back issues throughout the season.
The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, finished as runner-up to Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.
Now ranked 36th in the world following minimal competition post a second-round departure in New York this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care is finally showing encouraging progress.
"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my training holds up under regular practice concerning my back," commented Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry was whether I was able to finish a match," the athlete continued, noting the injury plagued him "over the last half a year or more."
"I kept asking, 'Can I compete in another match without discomfort?'"
"I became truly frightened after the defeat at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to move for 48 hours. That's when you begin to question your career's future."
Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan following the completion of five weeks of off-season preparation without any pain.
His next appearance for Greece in the United Cup, drawn against Team Japan led by Osaka and the Great Britain squad led by Emma Raducanu. The competition will be held across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, the week preceding the Australian Open.
"My main goal next season is to stop worrying over completing bouts," he stated.
"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you had a pre-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I aim to perform during the upcoming season and for the team championship.
"The effort is invested. The crucial element is complete faith in my ability to get back to where I was. I will attempt everything to make it happen."
